Category Archives: Other Hikes

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Bike the GVG – Avon to York Landing – May 2017

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So, you’ve been itching to get on your bike this Spring with impetus of a group bike outing of some kind.  Well, here is an opportunity to do just that … on the Genesee Valley Greenway (GVG) from Avon to York Landing (round trip) on Saturday May 20th, 2017 at 10:00AM.  Approximately a 17 mile round trip easy paced bike ride, and all trail mileage covered is in the nw corner of Livingston County.   Meet location is at the Erie-Attica Trail (EAT) trailhead in Avon, accessed by Farmers Road off Rts 5&20 just east of the Genesee River.

– – – A digression – – Speaking of itching, this Hike Planner has had impetus to utilize the section of the GVG shortly north of Fowlerville Rd (and south of US Rt 20), said section has a short duration of trail topped with thick stone dust (mostly fine stone sans dust), for a ST hike since early Spring 2016 just following reconstruction of said section of trail which had been necessitated as result of a huge washout area.  The thick stone dust topper (as determined during a potential preview hike in April 2016), provided wonderful cushioning upon a hikers joints, albeit bike/stroller/wheelchair wheels found much friction/consternation due to sinking in the freshly laid thick topper surface.  

Due to complaints of wheeled trail users, later in 2016 the topper surface was rolled by a heavy duty roller to make for some compaction factor, and the surface is said now to be kinder to the aforementioned narrow wheeled vehicles (and probably offers less of an exuberant opportunity for a hiker’s joints).   If there is a lesson here, perhaps it is that not all opportunities are lasting, some have but a small window of opportunity.  Still, a future ST hike planned to utilize this section of the GVG may offer multiple unique opportunities including this now somewhat tamed section of thick stone dust topper.  

Anyway, you’ll get to see this short section and so much more of the GVG via your bike on this traverse much more quickly than while on a hike. – – –

(A further digression, …for the curious, …  utilization of the aforementioned section of trail south of US Rt 20 was in consideration for the 4/24/2016 ST hike, but ultimately was scrapped from the fledgling Hike Plan due to what would have been a controverted driving route to reach the GVG trailhead parking lot on US Rt 20, all thanks to road reconstruction on US Rt 20 just east of the GVG trailhead.  -Now you know – substantially trials and tribulations that weighed in nixing this unique section of trail south of US Rt 20 for the 4/24 ST hike, … instead all hiking groups headed north from Avon.)  – – –  End of digressions. – – – 

GETTING THERE:

From just inside Avon’s western town limits, to reach the Erie-Attica Trail parking lot & trailhead follow Farmers Rd to the end where you’ll find both the parking lot & the trailhead.  – – –  Seem familiar?  Well, ST has in the past (10/18/2015 hike) held a hike utilizing exactly this trailhead and parking lot, as well as parts of the connecting GVG, so yes, it may seem familiar.  And an April 24th 2016 ST hike also utilized the GVG in this area.

Detailed Directions From Springwater: Take Rt 15A North. In Lima, turn left on US Rt 20 (concurrent NY Rt 5, thus known as Rts 5&20). Follow Rts 5&20 for 7.6 miles (you will cross over I-390, pass through the hamlet of East Avon and the Village of Avon. After the traffic circle in the village, continue on Rts 5&20 for 0.8mi and turn right on Farmers Rd. The parking area is on the right, just after you pass under the flyover for the former RR truss bridge (now the Erie-Attica Trail truss bridge).

Further Event Details for this May 20th biking event are listed on the FOGVG Facebook page.

GVG Passport Booklet:  This bike ride will cover a stretch of trail where you’ll be able to avail yourself of making a rubbing in the Wegman’s Passport to Family Wellness – GVG passport booklet.   For those unfamiliar – – –   Wegmans – “Passport to Family Wellness Program” series booklet for the Genesee Valley Greenway is a passport compilation of 14 separate hikes on the GVG, each hike route having a “rubbing post” for trail users to produce a “rubbing” in their passport booklet with purpose of documenting that a trail user has completed the respective hike.  Passport booklets filled-in with rubbings can be turned in at a Wegmans retail store for redemption of coupons for Wegmans brand products and entry for a prize drawing.   So, remember to bring your GVG passport booklet on this bike ride.

 

(Event post initially published on 5/7/2017, updated 5/17/2017.)

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Bluebell hike with GVC on Saturday 5/6/2017

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UPDATE – TUESDAY MAY 2ND, TRAIL CONDITIONS: It will be muddy and wet, no chance of staying dry this year at the Bluebell hike.  Perhaps Traction Devices &/or gaiters may be desirable for use, &/or waterproof boots.  

Please feel free to join our friends of Genesee Valley Conservancy aka “GVC” (which has offices in Geneseo, NY) for its annual Bluebell hike(s).  Each hike, one at 10:00AM and another at 2:00PM will be ~ 1.5-2 hours in duration and cover ~3.5 miles.  Trail conditions may be muddy, so dress accordingly, TDs (Traction Devices) may be helpful.

This hike is a rather unique opportunity!  And … you’re invited!  You’ll marvel in the wonders of the blooms on Bluebells at this time of year, and as well traverse an area where normally hikers can not, as this hike on private property has been arranged exclusively for this GVC annual Bluebell hike (walk) event.

Hike location is at 3432 Nations Rd, Geneseo, NY.

Approx GPS Coords = 42.829918, -77.803816

Please note: hike times which start respectively at 10:00AM & 2:00PM are scheduled for just one day, Saturday , May 6th, 2017.  Miss the date and you’ll need to wait a year for the hike opportunity to roll around again.   Please realize that Mother Nature does not always cooperate with preplanned dates with design to showcase Natural Splendors.  Advance predicted timing of Bluebell flowers blooming can be a tenuous undertaking, especially so in some years where weather patterns are substantially outliers from the norm.

Hike Location:  Nations Rd runs, in an overall ~ “L” shape, westerly off NY Rt 39 (aka Avon Rd, and aka Avon-Geneseo Rd) a bit north of the Village of Geneseo, and also runs southerly off Co Rd 22 (aka Fowlerville Rd) in the western reaches of the Town of Avon.  (The shortest entry to the hike locale from a main road is from NY Rt 39.)  The hike location at 3432 Nations Rd is on the approximately e-w traversing section of Nations Rd, not far from the angular corner with the n-s traversing section of Nations Rd.    Parking is with judiciousness and courtesy along the side of Nations Rd.

Directly extracted from the GVC website, below is the hike description provided by GVC.

_____________________________________________________________________

Bluebell Hike

Bluebell Hike

This 3.5 mile hike takes place on trails that will be muddy and includes hiking through fields and over uneven surfaces.  The hike features working agricultural fields and a forest along the Genesee River that is host to a spectacular sea of Common Bluebell flowers.  The hike will take between 1.5 and 2 hours.

The hike will depart rain or shine.  There is no transportation available.  Participants must be able to complete the round trip.

The hike takes place on private property.  Please help us continue this event by only visiting with us during these scheduled times.

*Event supported by Steuben Trust Company

 

 

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Bluebell hike with GVC on Saturday 5/6/2017

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UPDATE – TUESDAY MAY 2ND, TRAIL CONDITIONS: It will be muddy and wet, no chance of staying dry this year at the Bluebell hike.  Perhaps Traction Devices &/or gaiters may be desirable for use, &/or waterproof boots.  

Please feel free to join our friends of Genesee Valley Conservancy aka “GVC” (which has offices in Geneseo, NY) for its annual Bluebell hike(s).  Each hike, one at 10:00AM and another at 2:00PM will be ~ 1.5-2 hours in duration and cover ~3.5 miles.  Trail conditions may be muddy, so dress accordingly, TDs (Traction Devices) may be helpful.

This hike is a rather unique opportunity!  And … you’re invited!  You’ll marvel in the wonders of the blooms on Bluebells at this time of year, and as well traverse an area where normally hikers can not, as this hike on private property has been arranged exclusively for this GVC annual Bluebell hike (walk) event.

Hike location is at 3432 Nations Rd, Geneseo, NY.

Approx GPS Coords = 42.829918, -77.803816

Please note: hike times which start respectively at 10:00AM & 2:00PM are scheduled for just one day, Saturday , May 6th, 2017.  Miss the date and you’ll need to wait a year for the hike opportunity to roll around again.   Please realize that Mother Nature does not always cooperate with preplanned dates with design to showcase Natural Splendors.  Advance predicted timing of Bluebell flowers blooming can be a tenuous undertaking, especially so in some years where weather patterns are substantially outliers from the norm.

Hike Location:  Nations Rd runs, in an overall ~ “L” shape, westerly off NY Rt 39 (aka Avon Rd, and aka Avon-Geneseo Rd) a bit north of the Village of Geneseo, and also runs southerly off Co Rd 22 (aka Fowlerville Rd) in the western reaches of the Town of Avon.  (The shortest entry to the hike locale from a main road is from NY Rt 39.)  The hike location at 3432 Nations Rd is on the approximately e-w traversing section of Nations Rd, not far from the angular corner with the n-s traversing section of Nations Rd.    Parking is with judiciousness and courtesy along the side of Nations Rd.

Directly extracted from the GVC website, below is the hike description provided by GVC.

_____________________________________________________________________

Bluebell Hike

Bluebell Hike

This 3.5 mile hike takes place on trails that will be muddy and includes hiking through fields and over uneven surfaces.  The hike features working agricultural fields and a forest along the Genesee River that is host to a spectacular sea of Common Bluebell flowers.  The hike will take between 1.5 and 2 hours.

The hike will depart rain or shine.  There is no transportation available.  Participants must be able to complete the round trip.

The hike takes place on private property.  Please help us continue this event by only visiting with us during these scheduled times.

*Event supported by Steuben Trust Company

 

 

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GVGSP 2017 series hikes – 1st hike is Saturday 4/8/2017

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CALLING ALL HIKERS AND BIKERS!
Saturday, April 8th at 10:00 AM
Genesee Valley Greenway State Park Passport Hike and Bike Series. Wegmans Hike #1
Genesee Valley Park to Scottsville Road (Rte. 383)
Park in the Genesee Valley Park off of Scottsville Road (near pool and boat house). Meet at Trail Head for the Genesee Valley Greenway and Riverway Trail. (2.5 miles, but bikers might want to go further). Hike leader is Elijah Kruger. All are welcome! Please plan to attend.
The hike series will be held on the second Saturday of each month, April through October 2017.  Each month a different section of trail will be the hike/bike.  In 2017, the chronological monthly hike will steadily progress southward in section of trail hiked.
 Here is more complete info about the GVGSP & the Hike Series.

In 2017 the Genesee Valley Greenway State Park (GVGSP or GVG) hike series continues, very similar to albeit separate from the 2015 & 2016 two year initiative for GVGSP hike series.

Passport Hike Series 2017 of the Genesee Valley Greenway State Park (GVGSP or simply GVG) includes seven guided hikes, one each month April thru October inclusive, each hike is on the second Saturday morning of each respective month. Each month’s hike covers a different section of the GVG.

Past years’ hikes: The 2015/2016 two year hike series scheduled one hike per month, April through October, 7 hikes per year offered usually on the second Saturday of the month, and as a guided hike by park staff. (Back in 2014 there were some GVG hikes led by park staff as well, one per calendar quarter.)

A brief primer of the GVG: The GVG is a linear state park which approximately follows the alignment of the former Genesee Valley Canal. Following closure of the canal the traverse (mostly the towpath of the canal) would subsequently become the bed of the Genesee Valley Canal Railroad which eventually became part of the Pennsylvania Railroad system. In the years after the abandonment of nearly all that railroad alignment there became impetus to utilize the alignment as a multi-use trail. Through cooperative efforts among a number of groups/organizations/and individuals that impetus became reality, and eventually the GVG became the GVGSP.

HIKE DATES AND LOCATIONS FOR 2017

Saturday, April 8th, 2017 – Hike #1. Genesee Valley Park to Scottsville Rd (Rt. 383), City of Rochester, Chili, Monroe County, 2.5 miles. Easy, gentle rolling trail with paved surface.

Saturday, May 13th, 2017 – Hike #2. Brook Rd to Black Creek, Chili, Monroe County, 3.7 miles. Easy, flat trail with cinder surface. Includes double-arched Genesee Valley Canal culvert (aka aqueduct).

Saturday, June 10th, 2017 – Hike #3. Brook Rd to Morgan Rd, Chili, Monroe County, 4.3 miles. Easy, flat trail with cinder surfacing. Includes Genesee Valley Canal Lock #2.

Saturday, July 8th, 2017 – Hike #4. Quaker Rd (Rt 251) to Lehigh Valley Trail, Wheatland, Monroe County, 3.1 miles. Easy, flat trail with a mixed surface. Includes bridge and abutments for Lehigh Valley Black Diamond Railroad trestle.

Saturday, August 12th, 2017 – Hike #5. Fowlerville Rd to Lock #5, York, Livingston County, 2.7 miles. Easy, flat trail with a mixed surface. Includes stone remaining from Genesee Valley Canal Lock #5.

Saturday, September 9th, 2017 – Hike #6. York Landing to Fowlerville Rd, York, Livingston County, 3.1 miles. Easy, flat trail with a mixed surface. Includes former canal turning basins and views of the Genesee River.

Saturday, October 14th, 2017 – Hike #7. Cuylerville to Piffard, Leicester and York, Livingston County, 3.5 miles. Includes canal-era tavern and large ponds popular with birders.

INFORMATION ABOUT WEGMAN’S GVGSP PASSPORT BOOKLETS  

Genesee Valley Greenway State Park will once again be offering it popular series of monthly hikes in 2017. The hikes are part of Wegmans’ Eat Well, Live Well “Passport to Family Wellness” program, designed to help employees and area residents get moving and enjoy healthier, better lives.

The 2017 hike series will be led by State Parks personnel who are well-versed in local history and the area’s flora and fauna. Mileages listed are for the total round trip, out and back. All hikes start at 10:00AM.

Since 2014, the Friends of the Genesee Valley Greenway (FOGVG) and State Parks staff have teamed up with Wegmans’ to offer a series of Greenway hikes which a trail visitor can “register” in special passport booklets, available at Wegmans’ stores. With support from Wegmans, 14 plaques set atop 4 by 4 posts are located throughout the Greenway, ready for persons to register their trail visit by making a rubbing in their passport corresponding to that particular hike. The posts are coordinated with maps and descriptions of the hikes listed in the passport.

Each person who uses a passport to complete at least six of the listed hikes is eligible to be entered in a drawing to receive a coupon redeemable for Wegmans’ brand products. The annual drawing is held the first Saturday in May at the FOGVG I Love My Park Day event.

Participants who complete at least ten Greenway hikes may enter an annual grand prize drawing for a free Empire Passport, provided by FOGVG. The Empire Passport enables free vehicle access to all participating NYS Parks for one year.

Ask for a GVG State Park Passport at: Wegmans’ store in Rochester, Geneseo and Hornell; Letchworth State Park Administration Building; Mount Morris Dam Visitor Center; and Livingston Chamber of Commerce Tourist Information Office.

For those thirsty for knowledge about the development & history of the GVG. (An approximate excerpt from an FOGVG webpage):

How the land was acquired. 

The Genesee Valley Greenway follows the towpath of the former Genesee Valley Canal (1840-1878) and Pennsylvania Railroad, Rochester Branch (1882-1963). In 1963, RG&E purchased portions of this corridor.

It later sold sections to the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP). The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) became involved as co-sponsor of a federal grant that was used to acquire additional land, expanding the corridor north through Livingston County and south to Hinsdale.

How the Greenway got its start.   

New York Parks and Conservation Association (NYPCA) introduced the idea in 1991 after it  first established interest among local government officials, user groups, environmentalists, and local businesses.

Guided by a 40-member steering committee and a NYPCA Local Coordinator, individual sections of the trail opened for public recreational use in 1992.

A Public-Private Partnership.

The Friends of the Genesee Valley Greenway grew out of the interest and enthusiasm generated by initial trail development efforts. Incorporated in 1993, it has since devoted its efforts to developing additional owned miles and maintaining existing miles of open (or usable) trail.

FOGVG also preserves and interprets historic and natural resources along the Greenway, and develops communications, programs, activities, and community partnerships to stimulate increased use and enjoyment.

A partnership between FOGVG, OPRHP, and DEC began in 1994 when these entities co-authored a successful $2.1 million federal Transportation Enhancement grant. Each partner contributes unique and important resources to the Greenway.